“You would have me work off their market price?” I raised an eyebrow, glancing at Ulai.
I saw that he had paled, and that he stood closer to me, hovering almost protectively. For a moment, I felt a pulse of warmth for him, strong enough that he seemed to feel it.
“It is a fair offer,” Voi Pai said. “And it is final. I would want the same from the Sword. I ask only for what is due me. I view this as payment for aiding in his rescue.”
“What about the others?” I said. “Those in the work camps?”
She waved dismissively. “Make it an even twenty million. For all of them.”
I felt my jaw harden more.
“And you will, of course, include all of those seers captured tonight?”
“Then it is twenty-two million,” Voi Pai said curtly. “That one,” she added, pointing at Wreg. “He is worth two million alone. It is a generous price.”
“And how do I know you will keep our bargain this time?” I said, gesturing around at the others without looking at them. “How can I be sure you won’t simply kidnap them again, and auction them off at your whim?”
Voi Pai clicked softly. “The Esteemed Bridge has a poor opinion of her servant––”
“––Because I do not kid myself for one second that that’s what you are,” I retorted, curling my hands into fists. “I need assurances, Voi Pai. They must be real assurances. I must know they are free. I require this before I will let you own me.”
“We can provide that,” she said, her eyes hard on mine. “You must agree to be collared, for at least a portion of your time under my employ.”
I thought about that, then was forced to concede, realizing I couldn’t expect otherwise with the telekinesis. I gestured as much, avoiding Cass’s eyes again.
“Agreed.”
“And work at whatever work I deem you fit for.”
I conceded to that as well, albeit more reluctantly. “Agreed.” I hesitated. “In return, I would like training while I am here.”
“Training?” Her eyebrow lifted humorously.
“Full infiltration training. Whatever you provide to your normal recruits.”
Her eyes measured mine, then she nodded. “Agreed.”
“Will I be a formal member of the Lao Hu?”
“Through the duration of the contract, yes.” Her eyes narrowed further. “Which means you will be bonded to the group. That is non-negotiable, Esteemed Bridge.”
I hesitated at this. Unfortunately I didn't know enough about what she was saying to know if it was unreasonable or not, or what the effects would be long-term. There was no one there I could ask. After another longish pause, I gestured a yes.
“Agreed.”
“The terms will begin, including the collar, once I have provided these assurances you require to your satisfaction?”
“They must be to my satisfaction,” I warned her. “You will not own me, in any way, until I am sure they are all away and safe––”
“Sister!”
I jumped, turning my head.
It wasn’t that someone had spoken so much as who.
Wreg stared at me, his eyes stricken, like his voice.
His face held bewilderment, like he didn’t know me, but there was grief there, too. From the look on his face, it seemed he wanted to say more, but he didn’t move as I returned his gaze. After a beat of silence between us, I swallowed, turning back to Voi Pai.
I pointed at Wreg without looking at him, my jaw hard.
“I would request a moment alone with brother Wreg,” I said. “No guards, no construct. I need to speak to him privately.” Glancing at Ulai, I added, “If you need one of your representatives there, I will accept brother Ulai as a chaperone. No one else.”
Voi Pai gestured dismissively. Despite the ease of the gesture, her eyes on mine were harder, examining my face as though for some kind of trick.
“You may go,” she said. “Use the gardens past the antechamber. And brother Ulai.”
Taking my arm gently, Ulai led me out the way we’d come.
Before I turned, I glimpsed Cass’s face, almost by accident.
In that one look, I saw that she’d gone sheet white, her eyes wide as she shook her head in a silent ‘no’ at me, even more adamantly than before. My eyes flickered up to see Jax and Mila giving me equally stunned looks, but theirs were closer to what Wreg’s had been, like they couldn’t believe what they’d just witnessed.
A guard prodded Wreg to his feet then, and I turned, following Ulai into the candlelit chamber of the throne room, and aiming my feet for the gardens beyond.
48
BLOOD OATH
WE PASSED ANOTHER set of doors, and then we were outside, in a lantern-lit patch of snow filled with stone landscapes. I vaguely remembered this garden. The creek that ran through it in the spring was currently dry, but the cherry trees still stood, their bases wrapped with padding against the cold.
I was staring up at the wet branches, my breath leaving my lips in clouds, when a guard shoved Wreg out the door.
The muscular seer slid in the new snow, regaining his balance as he came to a stop near Ulai and me. He watched the guard disappear through the dark doorway, then whirled on me, his eyes like chips of obsidian as they stared into mine.
“What in the di'lanlente a' guete are you doing?” he hissed. “Have you lost your fucking mind? Is this a game to you?”
Ulai spoke up before I could answer, his voice openly worried.
“You should not speak to her in this way,” he said to Wreg, making an admonishing gesture with both hands. He looked at me, his voice and eyes apologetic. “He is not wrong to be concerned, though, Esteemed Sister Allie. Voi Pai is not positing this as an idle offer. She will absolutely take ownership of you, and she will employ you in whatever ways she deems most profitable and advantageous to the Lao Hu.”
Hesitating, Ulai looked down at me nervously, letting his gaze grow meaningful as it trailed down to my feet.
“You must know there are possibilities with that,” he said. “Things which you might not wish to have done to you.” He cleared his throat, his skin darkening. “…Indignities, Esteemed Bridge. Things not befitting your stature.”
I looked up at Ulai, reading the meaning in his light blue eyes.
Nodding, I realized I had known that.
Clearly, Voi Pai wanted me to know it, just as she’d wanted me to offer myself instead of telling me her price outright. I still didn’t see a whole lot of options. I didn’t exactly have the clout or the manpower to declare war on the Lao Hu. Even if I managed to pull some kind of army together with the refugees from those camps, I’d still need Revik. I’d need Balidor, and likely the Rebels, too, and even then it would take months to train everyone.
I didn’t have Revik as an option, not anymore.
Feeling something in my chest tighten, I looked at Wreg.
As soon as I had, I wished I hadn’t. The same understanding Ulai voiced seemed to have reached him as he looked down the length of my body. When his eyes met mine, he scowled, his voice an open accusation.
“You knew,” he said. “You are whoring yourself. You are doing it on purpose.” His voice grew even angrier. “Why?”
I shook my head, clicking sharply. “I don’t have to answer to you, Wreg, even when you shout. I came here to make a deal. This is the deal she will accept.”
“You are a liar!”
I bit my lip, staring at him incredulously. “You honestly think this is the deal I would prefer? If you have another idea, brother Wreg, please, do share it. Personally, I’m not seeing a lot of options, unless you would prefer me to leave all of you here to rot.”
He shook his head, clicking angrily. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re doing––”
“What difference does it make?” I cut in. “I’m taking care of this. That’s all. Don’t read a bunch into it that’s not there, Wreg.”
When I didn’t say anything else, he looked away. I watched him
think about my words, eyes narrow as he kicked a booted foot at the snow. I felt emotion pulse off him, but I couldn’t read any of it, apart from his anger at me.
“This is not for us,” he said, voice cold. “You came here to sell yourself. To martyr yourself. It is an indignity, to do such a thing. Even for you. You are still an intermediary.”
“What I do isn’t really any of your business, Wreg.”
“Did you kill the Sword?” He looked up, his black eyes hard. “Is that why you would not sell him? Is this penance for your crimes against him?”
I gave a disbelieving laugh, shaking my head. “Gaos. What is it with you two? He asked me the same about you.” At Wreg’s deeper scowl, I spoke before he could respond. “No, I didn’t kill him, for fuck’s sake. He’s fine, Wreg.”
“Where is he?”
“You know I can’t tell you that,” I said, impatient. “But I don’t need to. He’ll be free, soon enough. I have no doubt you’ll be the first one he contacts, Wreg.”
“Free?” Wreg stared at me. “You will release him?”
“I have ordered him released, yes. He’ll be out in a month or two. Possibly less. Possibly more. There is some discretion there, but it won’t be very long, I promise you.” Sighing at his skeptical look, I rubbed my face with one hand. “I’ll let him explain what happened when he sees you. I was trying to help him. He will likely describe it differently, but I never meant him any harm, Wreg.”
“Just the rest of us,” he growled.
“Clearly, yes. I wished you all enslaved. And tortured.”
“Then you are simply a fool,” he said angrily.
I didn’t answer. For a few seconds, both of us just stood there, silent.
After I took a breath, I looked at Ulai.
“Can we trust Voi Pai?” I said. “Will she really let them go, if I make this deal with her? Will she let me honestly verify that they are gone?”
Ulai nodded, slowly, his eyes flickering warily between me and Wreg. They rested on Wreg in frowning disapproval, pausing for a beat before he looked back at me.
“Yes,” he said. “She is sincere in her price. I think she will not risk war by refusing your conditions. She would have to kill too many otherwise. And she fears the Sword.”
“He won’t come for me,” I said.
Wreg gave a low laugh.
“Are you sure of that, Esteemed Bridge?” Ulai asked, nervous.
“I’m sure. He won’t come. Not unless someone gives him a reason to.” I bit the inside of my cheek. “So if that’s her game, it won’t work.”
Ulai gave me a puzzled look. “Her… game, Esteemed Bridge?”
“Is this still about him? About bringing him here?”
Ulai’s eyes grew thoughtful. Realizing he was in the Barrier construct, trying to ascertain an accurate answer for me, I didn't speak.
A few seconds later, his eyes clicked back into focus.
“No,” he said. “No, I do not think so. Her attention seems to be solely on you, Esteemed Bridge. She has some concern that he may come, actually, particularly if she oversteps her bounds with you. This does not seem to be her desire. She seems to be hoping the contract will be fulfilled before he does come, or that she can force you to tell him to stay away, if you are in her employ and bonded to her infiltrators.”
Giving a seer’s nod, I turned to Wreg. “Satisfied?”
He was staring at me, though, a new understanding in his eyes.
“You can’t tell him, Wreg,” I warned. “You can’t tell him where I am.”
For a moment he just looked at me. Then he let out a snort, right before the expression in his black eyes turned disbelieving.
“I can tell him whatever I want… Bridge.”
I took a step closer to him, feeling my jaw harden.
“No,” I said. “You can’t. In fact, I’m going to have to insist that you give me your blood oath that you won’t… or I’ll go in there and tell her you’re not part of the deal. Hell, maybe I’ll throw Jax and Mila in, as well. Clearly you don’t value your own life much, if you were dumb enough to try and climb these walls.”
He stared at me, his eyes holding a faint surprise, right before they narrowed.
“You would not do that. The Sword wouldn’t stand for it.”
“Believe me, brother Wreg,” I said. “I would. As far as I’m concerned, it’s two million less I’d have to work off.” My mouth firmed. “And what makes you think the Sword would know? Do you think I could not negotiate with the venerable Voi Pai to have your team think you were released along with the rest? Or killed, for that matter?”
His dark eyes remained on mine a beat longer.
Then, as if seeing something in my face, he nodded slowly.
“You mean it?” he said. “You do not want him to know?”
“I do mean it.”
“A blood oath?”
I gestured a yes. “I figure that way I have a prayer of you keeping it.”
“I will keep it.” Wreg looked at Ulai. “A knife, brother?”
Ulai glanced at me, his eyes a question.
When I nodded, he flipped back his coat, pulling a curved knife from a leather scabbard at his right hip. He held the blade out towards the other male, hilt-first, but Wreg shook his head, indicating his hands bound behind his back.
“You’ll have to do it, brother. Or untie me.”
Ulai nodded, once, then walked around behind Wreg.
I followed, watching as Ulai pulled one of Wreg’s hands flat gently below the cuffs. In one clean motion, he cut the seer’s hand across the palm, making me wince.
Turning to me, Ulai held a hand out politely, gesturing for me to take it. After a bare hesitation, I placed the same hand as he’d cut on Wreg in his, palm up. Without waiting, he cut mine across the palm, just as cleanly.
I winced again, but more at the sight of it; I barely felt it.
When he indicated, I clasped Wreg’s hand over the cut, palm to palm.
“You will not tell him,” I said to Wreg.
“I will not tell him.”
“Where I am, or how you got away. You’ll make up a story, one that does not involve me.”
“I will not tell him. I will do exactly as you said.”
“You did not see me here. You have not seen me since I shot you on the plane.”
“I have not seen you.”
“Promise me, Wreg!”
“I vow it,” he said. “He will hear nothing of this, or of you, from me. He will hear nothing from anyone under my command. I vow this, Esteemed Bridge.”
“And you will tell the Wvercian, Baguen, to do the same,” I added. “You will tell him it is my wish, as his intermediary, that he forget this thing, that he speak of it to no one.”
I swallowed, fighting a pain in my gut as I realized what else had to happen.
I knew she might never forgive me if she found out, but I said it anyway.
“Tell Baguen to erase Cass,” I said, feeling that pain worsen. “Make her forget I was here. Give her whatever story you intend to give the Sword. Or have her remember nothing at all. Whatever is more effective… and whatever is likely to stick.”
“Yes,” he said, nodding. “If Baguen is unable to do it, one of my people will. We will remove the memory from her. Or create a new one, Esteemed Bridge.”
I nodded, mostly to myself.
I tried to decide if there was anything I’d forgotten, then realized if he wanted to find a loophole, he probably could. I had to trust he would do as I’d asked, and not lie to me about it. Maybe it was dumb, but I did trust him. I trusted him to keep his word, anyway; I still wouldn’t trust him to not shoot me on sight if he got the opportunity.
When I released him, I saw his shoulders relax.
Walking around to the front of him, I met his gaze. His eyes had narrowed. Even so, I saw that my words had affected him somehow.
“You said he would not come for you,” he said.
I gestured
a yes. “He won’t.”
“Why the secret, then?”
I made a seer’s shrug, my face blank.
“He wouldn’t come only for me, Wreg,” I said. “But I don’t want him to feel obligated. He might come out of a sense of debt, if he knew I’d freed you, or because of my intermediary status. I know he’s religious. He might not like the idea of one of his brethren in such a situation, regardless of his personal feelings.” Sighing, I combed my hair out of my face. “I just want to keep this clean. I don’t trust Voi Pai, and I don’t want her using me to get to him.”
Pausing again, I studied his face.
“Keep him safe,” I said. “Do what you do best, Wreg, and be loyal. Don’t give him a reason. If he doesn’t know about you and the others, he won’t care about the rest.”
He continued to stare at me, his dark eyes openly skeptical.
Rolling my own, I clicked at him, saying it again. “Wreg, take care of him. Don’t let him be noble for no reason. He won’t care what I do. I promise you that.”
Wreg only looked at me.
Then he averted his gaze, clicking in annoyance. I couldn’t tell at what that time, but when he looked at me next, his black eyes glinted in anger.
“I think you are lying to yourself, princess,” he said.
His words startled me, more for his use of the old nickname. I didn’t think about the rest of what he’d said until later.
“…But I have made the oath,” he added, before I could speak. “I will keep it.”
Hearing his words, I nodded, feeling my shoulders unclench.
I believed him.
“Thanks, Wreg.”
I felt a tightness come unexpectedly to my throat.
Before he could see my expression, I looked away, forcing my face still as I glanced at Ulai. The taller seer’s eyes and mouth remained pinched as he met my gaze. He seemed as if he wished to speak, too, but he didn’t. Squeezing his hand briefly, I let it go.
Not looking at either of them now, I cleared my throat.
Shadow (Bridge & Sword: Awakenings #4): Bridge & Sword World Page 47